Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Towel Power

Some fans may be throwing in the towel for this season; Not me, I'm busting out my playoff towel. The Vancouver Canucks start a three-game series against the Edmonton Oilers tonight, a series that may determine their playoff fate. Win two of the three games and the Canucks push themselves back up the Western Conference standings; lose two out of three however, and they can most likely start polishing their golf clubs.At least the players are saying the right things.

From Markus Naslund:

''We're looking at this as the season,'' captain Markus Naslund said Monday of the Edmonton games, which continue here Thursday and Saturday. ''There are so many things that are making it even bigger. The way we've played against them this year, our pride should be on the line. We're in a really bad spot.''

From Todd Bertuzzi:

''We're in a situation that we've put ourselves in,'' Bertuzzi said. ''We know exactly what we have to do to get out of it. ''Confidence is a huge thing and playing better defensively and not giving up so many chances like we have. ''We're not in a position to watch other teams. We've got it right in front of us the way the schedule is.''

From Marc Crawford:

''The fact that you are ninth in the standings and out of the playoffs, it should serve as a point we can all focus on,''

"These next few games coming up are big games. Every point is crucial in the standings right now," said Oilers forward Fernando Pisani. "It's like a playoff game. These next three games are going to be playoff-atmosphere games. We know it and they know it, and we're going to have to play our best hockey."

From Ethan Moreau:

"If there is a possible sweep out there either way, it's going to make a huge difference in the standings," Moreau said. "We just have to play solid, keep doing what we're doing. We feel confident that with our team, if we play our game, we're going to be OK."

It should be a good series. Start waving those towels.(* Photo taken from Canuck Heaven.)

Hey everyone, I am looking to sell a 1994 Western Conference Towel in perfect condition. Proceeds will go to charity. How much does anyone think it's worth? And how about a 1994 Canucks pennant to go with it?